What number verse is Genesis 11:17 in the Bible?

Genesis 11:17 is the 284th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Genesis 11:17 sits at position 284.

Translation

King James Version

And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And Eber ^H5677 lived ^H2421 after ^H310 he begat ^H3205 Peleg ^H6389 four ^H702 hundred ^{H3967 H8141} and thirty ^H7970 years ^H8141, and begat ^H3205 sons ^H1121 and daughters ^H1323.

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Complete Jewish Bible

After Peleg was born, ‘Ever lived another 430 years and had sons and daughters.

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Berean Standard Bible

And after he had become the father of Peleg, Eber lived 430 years and had other sons and daughters.

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American Standard Version

and Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.

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World English Bible Messianic

Eber lived four hundred thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and became the father of sons and daughters.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

So Eber liued, after he begate Peleg, foure hundreth and thirtie yeeres, and begate sonnes and daughters

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Young's Literal Translation

And Eber liveth after his begetting Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begetteth sons and daughters.

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In the KJVVerse 284 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Eber lived an additional 430 years after the birth of his son Peleg, during which time he continued to father other sons and daughters. This detail underscores the remarkable longevity of the early post-diluvian patriarchs and highlights God's faithful preservation and continuation of the human lineage, particularly the chosen line from which the Hebrew people would descend and through whom His redemptive plan would ultimately unfold.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Genesis 11:17 is situated within the "Table of Nations" (Genesis 10) and the subsequent genealogical account from Shem to Terah (Genesis 11:10-26). Specifically, it is part of the concise, formulaic presentation of the patriarchal line from Shem to Abraham, serving as a bridge between the universal Flood narrative and the particular calling of Abraham. Each entry in this genealogy follows a consistent pattern: "X lived Y years and begat Z; and X lived after he begat Z, A years, and begat sons and daughters." This repetitive structure emphasizes the continuity of the lineage and the fulfillment of God's command to "be fruitful and multiply." The preceding verse, Genesis 11:16, introduces Eber and the birth of Peleg, making verse 17 a direct continuation of Eber's life story within this chronological framework.
Historical & Cultural Context: The genealogies in Genesis 10-11 serve as a crucial historical framework for ancient Israel, connecting their origins to the earliest periods of human history. In the ancient Near East, genealogies were not merely lists of names but served significant socio-political and theological functions, establishing identity, inheritance rights, and divine favor. The extended lifespans recorded, while decreasing from pre-Flood ages, reflect a distinct biological reality in the early post-Flood world, possibly due to a more pristine environment or a slower accumulation of genetic mutations. Culturally, the emphasis on "begat sons and daughters" highlights the importance of progeny for family continuity, tribal strength, and the fulfillment of the divine mandate to fill the earth. Eber himself is a figure of immense historical significance, traditionally considered the ancestor from whom the "Hebrew" people (עִבְרִי, 'Ivri) derive their name, thus linking this specific lineage directly to the future covenant people of God.
Key Themes: This verse contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis. The primary theme is the Divine Preservation of Lineage, illustrating God's meticulous care in maintaining a specific line through which His redemptive purposes would be accomplished, even amidst a world prone to sin and dispersion, as seen in the Tower of Babel account. Another key theme is Human Proliferation and Fulfillment of the Creation Mandate, echoing God's command to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28 and reiterated to Noah in Genesis 9:1. The consistent mention of "begat sons and daughters" throughout these genealogies underscores the ongoing multiplication of humanity. Finally, the Decreasing Longevity of patriarchs after the Flood (compared to pre-Flood ages) is subtly evident, reflecting a gradual change in human lifespans, yet still highlighting a period of remarkable longevity that allowed for significant population growth and the establishment of early societies before the call of Abraham.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Genesis 11:17 provides a concise yet significant detail within the broader patriarchal timeline, specifying the duration of Eber's life after Peleg's birth and emphasizing his continued role in the propagation of humanity. This detail, like others in the chapter, contributes to the overall picture of decreasing but still remarkably long lifespans in the post-Flood era.

Key Word Analysis

lived (Hebrew, châyâh', H2421): A primitive root meaning "to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive." In this context, it refers to the literal continuation of Eber's physical existence for a specified period, emphasizing his longevity and the duration of his life after a significant event (Peleg's birth). This word consistently denotes life, vitality, and preservation throughout the biblical narrative.
begat (Hebrew, yâlad', H3205): A primitive root meaning "to bear young; causatively, to beget." This term is a foundational verb in the Genesis genealogies, signifying the act of procreation and the continuation of the family line. Its repetition underscores the theme of generational succession and the fulfillment of the divine command to be fruitful and multiply, ensuring the perpetuation of humanity.
sons (Hebrew, bên', H1121): Meaning "a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense." This term, along with "daughters," highlights the successful procreation of Eber, indicating that his lineage continued to expand beyond just his firstborn, Peleg. The mention of both male and female offspring signifies a complete and healthy family unit, contributing to the overall population growth.
daughters (Hebrew, bath', H1323): Meaning "a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)." The inclusion of daughters alongside sons is significant, as it indicates the full spectrum of procreation and the establishment of new family units through marriage, further contributing to the growth and spread of humanity after the Flood.

Verse Breakdown

"And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years": This clause provides precise chronological information about Eber's life. It states that after his son Peleg was born (at Eber's age of 34, according to Genesis 11:16), Eber continued to live for another 430 years. This detail, when combined with his age at Peleg's birth, allows for the calculation of Eber's total lifespan (464 years). Such specific chronological markers are characteristic of these genealogies, providing a historical framework for the unfolding of God's plan.
"and begat sons and daughters": This concluding phrase, common in the Genesis genealogies, indicates that Eber's procreative activity did not cease after the birth of Peleg. During the 430 years following Peleg's birth, Eber continued to have more children, both male and female. This emphasizes the ongoing multiplication of humanity and the successful continuation of the family line, ensuring the fulfillment of God's command to be fruitful and replenish the earth. It also highlights the robust nature of life and fertility in the early post-Flood world.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device employed in Genesis 11:17, and indeed throughout the Genesis genealogies, is Genealogical Formula. The repetitive structure ("X lived Y years and begat Z; and X lived after he begat Z, A years, and begat sons and daughters") provides a consistent and predictable rhythm, emphasizing the continuity and historical reliability of the lineage. This formulaic Repetition serves to underscore the divine faithfulness in preserving the chosen line and the ongoing fulfillment of the command to "be fruitful and multiply." The inclusion of precise numbers, such as "four hundred and thirty years," demonstrates Chronological Precision, lending an air of historical accuracy and meticulous record-keeping to the narrative. This attention to detail highlights the theological significance of each generation as a link in the chain leading to the promised seed.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Genesis 11:17, though seemingly a simple record of longevity and procreation, is deeply imbued with theological significance. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan by meticulously preserving the human lineage through which the Messiah would ultimately come. The extended lifespans, while decreasing from pre-Flood eras, still allowed for significant population growth and the establishment of early societies, demonstrating God's patience and provision for humanity's expansion. Each "begat sons and daughters" is not merely a biological fact but a theological affirmation of God's faithfulness in maintaining the human race and, more specifically, the divinely chosen line, ensuring the continuity of the covenant promises that would eventually culminate in Abraham and his descendants. This verse, therefore, serves as a quiet but firm declaration of God's sovereign hand guiding history towards His ultimate purposes.

Genesis 9:1: God's command to Noah and his sons to "be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" finds its ongoing fulfillment in the continuous procreation detailed in these genealogies, including Eber's.
Luke 3:35: Eber is explicitly named in the genealogy of Jesus Christ as recorded by Luke, directly linking this Old Testament patriarch to the New Testament Savior and demonstrating the historical continuity of the messianic line.
Hebrews 11:7: While not directly mentioning Eber, this verse speaks to Noah's faith and the preservation of his family, providing the foundational context for the genealogies that follow, which trace the lineage of faith and promise through figures like Eber.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Genesis 11:17, nestled within the seemingly dry genealogies, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It assures us of the unbroken lineage from Noah to Abraham, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in preserving a chosen line. For us today, this verse reinforces the reliability of God's promises and His meticulous attention to historical detail. It reminds us that even in seemingly mundane records, there is a profound story of divine purpose and the unfolding of a plan that ultimately leads to the Savior, Jesus Christ. The long lives and continuous generations speak to God's enduring patience and His commitment to His creation, providing a foundation of trust in His ongoing work in our lives and in history. We are part of a grand narrative, meticulously overseen by a God who works through generations to accomplish His will. This should inspire both confidence in His plan and a sense of our own place within His unfolding story.

Questions for Reflection

How does the meticulous detailing of genealogies, like Eber's, demonstrate God's faithfulness and patience in fulfilling His promises?
What significance does the continuation of human procreation ("begat sons and daughters") hold in light of God's original command to humanity?
How does knowing that God meticulously preserves lineages for His purposes encourage us in times when His plans seem slow or hidden?

FAQ

Why are biblical genealogies, like this one, so detailed?

Answer: Biblical genealogies serve multiple crucial purposes. They establish historical continuity, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's promises through specific individuals and families. They validate claims of lineage, particularly for the Messiah, proving His descent from Abraham and David, as seen in the opening of the Gospel of Matthew 1:1-17. They also highlight God's faithfulness in preserving a chosen line despite human failings, showing His active involvement in human history and His meticulous attention to the details of His redemptive plan.

Does Eber's name truly connect to the term "Hebrew"?

Answer: Yes, the consensus among scholars is that the Hebrew word for "Hebrew" ('Ivri) is derived from Eber ('Eber). This connection identifies Abraham and his descendants, the Israelites, as those who belong to the lineage of Eber, or perhaps more broadly, those who "crossed over" (referring to Abraham's journey from Ur to Canaan, as in Genesis 12:1-5) or are from "the other side" of the Euphrates River. This etymological link firmly establishes Eber as a foundational ancestor of the people of Israel.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The meticulous record of Eber's life and progeny in Genesis 11:17 is a vital thread in the tapestry of redemptive history, pointing directly to Christ. Each "begat" in this genealogy, including Eber's continued procreation, signifies God's unwavering commitment to preserving the promised seed through whom salvation would come. The lineage traced from Shem through Eber ultimately culminates in Abraham, from whom the nation of Israel descends, and through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ, is born. The Gospel of Luke 3:35 explicitly includes Eber in Jesus' genealogy, demonstrating the unbroken historical chain that leads to the Incarnation. Thus, this verse, while seemingly a simple historical record, is a profound testament to God's faithfulness in meticulously orchestrating human history to bring about the ultimate fulfillment of all His promises in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who is the "seed" promised in Genesis 3:15 and the "blessing" to all nations through Abraham's line, as prophesied in Genesis 12:3.

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Commentary on Genesis 11 verses 10–26

10 ¶ These are the generations of Shem: Shem was an hundred years old, and begat Arphaxad two years after the flood:

11 And Shem lived after he begat Arphaxad five hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

12 And Arphaxad lived five and thirty years, and begat Salah:

13 And Arphaxad lived after he begat Salah four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.

14 And Salah lived thirty years, and begat Eber:

15 And Salah lived after he begat Eber four hundred and three years, and begat sons and daughters.

16 And Eber lived four and thirty years, and begat Peleg:

17 And Eber lived after he begat Peleg four hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters.

18 And Peleg lived thirty years, and begat Reu:

19 And Peleg lived after he begat Reu two hundred and nine years, and begat sons and daughters.

20 And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begat Serug:

21 And Reu lived after he begat Serug two hundred and seven years, and begat sons and daughters.

22 And Serug lived thirty years, and begat Nahor:

23 And Serug lived after he begat Nahor two hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.

24 And Nahor lived nine and twenty years, and begat Terah:

25 And Nahor lived after he begat Terah an hundred and nineteen years, and begat sons and daughters.

26 And Terah lived seventy years, and begat Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

We have here a genealogy, not an endless genealogy, for here it ends in Abram, the friend of God, and leads further to Christ, the promised seed, who was the son of Abram, and from Abram the genealogy of Christ is reckoned (Mat 1:1, etc.); so that put ch. 5, ch. 11, and Mt. 1, together, and you have such an entire genealogy of Jesus Christ as cannot be produced, for aught I know, concerning any person in the world, out of his line, and at such a distance from the fountain-head. And, laying these three genealogies together, we shall find that twice ten, and thrice fourteen, generations or descents, passed between the first and second Adam, making it clear concerning Christ that he was not only the Son of Abraham, but the Son of man, and the seed of woman. Observe here, 1. Nothing is left upon record concerning those of this line but their names and ages, the Holy Ghost seeming to hasten through them to the story of Abram. How little do we know of those that have gone before us in this world, even those that lived in the same places where we live, as we likewise know little of those that are our contemporaries in distant places! we have enough to do to mind the work of our own day, and let God alone to require that which is past, Ecc 3:15. 2. There was an observable gradual decrease in the years of their lives. Shem reached to 600 years, which yet fell short of the age of the patriarchs before the flood; the next three came short of 500; the next three did not reach to 300; after them we read not of any that attained to 200, except Terah; and, not many ages after this, Moses reckoned seventy, or eighty, to be the utmost men ordinarily arrive at. When the earth began to be replenished, men's lives began to shorten; so that the decrease is to be imputed to the wise disposal of Providence, rather than to any decay of nature. For the elect's sake, men's days are shortened; and, being evil, it is well they are few, and attain not to the years of the lives of our fathers, Gen 47:9. 3. Eber, from whom the Hebrews were denominated, was the longest-lived of any that was born after the flood, which perhaps was the reward of his singular piety and strict adherence to the ways of God.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–26. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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